To know if you have a hernia, the main signs and symptoms to look for include:

• A noticeable bulge or lump in your abdomen, groin, or the area near a previous operation site. This bulge may become more obvious when standing, coughing, straining, or performing physical activity and may sometimes go away when lying down.
• Pain, soreness, burning, or discomfort in the area of the bulge, especially when bending over, coughing, lifting, or straining.
• A feeling of heaviness, pressure, or a dragging sensation in the groin.
• In men, pain and swelling around the testicles can occur if the intestines protrude into the scrotum.
• In serious cases, symptoms like nausea, vomiting, fever, sudden worsening pain, and inability to move bowels or pass gas may indicate a strangulated hernia, which is a medical emergency.

If a bulge can be felt or seen and there is pain or discomfort associated with it, visiting a doctor for a physical exam is important. The doctor may examine you while standing and lying down and might ask you to strain or cough to make the bulge more noticeable. Imaging tests like ultrasound or CT scans may be used if the hernia is not obvious on examination. Watching for these signs and seeking medical evaluation is key to diagnosing a hernia properly and deciding on the best treatment approach.